Shelsley Walsh

By Greg MacLeman
Gallery
 | 2 Jun 2014

The Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb is the oldest motor sport event in the world to be staged continuously in peace time and on its original course, having upheld the British motoring tradition of tinkering in sheds since 1905. The track itself has changed very little in that time, being extended from 992 yards to 1000 yards in 1907, then changing from gravel to asphalt in the 1930s.

A brutal elevation change of 328 feet from start to finish makes it one of the steepest and toughest hill climbs in the country. It's a course where power, commitment and bravery are paramount, and where fortune has always favoured the brave.

Copyright LAT Photographic

ER Hall takes first in class at the wheel of his Bugatti in 1922.

 

Count Zborowski storms into third position in the Light Car class on 29 July 1922 at the wheel of his Grand Prix Aston Martin.

 

Hans Stuck waits in the paddock on 6 June 1936 before taking to the course in his Auto Union C.

 

Six-wheeled Auto Union C of Hans Stuck gets the power down after clearing a corner.

 

Don Parker's mid-engined Cooper accelerates up the damp track in 1957. 

 

Stirling Moss threads his JAP-engined Cooper MkII through The Esses on his way to a class win in 1948.

 

ER Hall demonstrates his Bentleys poise, sliding through Bottom S on the gravel surface of 1930. 

 

A packed paddock illustrates the popularity of amateur meetings. This shot was taken in September 1932. 

 

David Fry (of chocolate empire fame) thunders up the hill in the Freikaiserwagen special in 1949, a year before the car was broken up following his cousin Joe's fatal crash.

Early aviation pioneer Amy Johnson takes her Frazer Nash-BMW by the scruff during a rare appearance in 1938. 

 

Windsor Richards and his Vauxhall attempt to match the marque's early successes at Shelsley Walsh in 1908, 1909 and 1911.

 

Joe Fry piles an early iteration of the Freikaiserwagen into Bottom S on 16 September 1938. 

 

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Greg MacLeman

Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC